Electronic route creation

ABSTRACT

A method of creating an electronic travel route includes providing a user interface that includes electronic geographic maps. Routes created by users using the user interface are stored. The routes include mapped electronic routes along which the users have traveled. The method includes receiving geographic information and a request from a requester to create a new route. A set of the routes created are provided to the requester based on the geographic information. Selections of portions of the set of the routes are accepted to create the new route. Based on the new route, a processor of a computer is used to create a set of geographic markers and instructions for traversing the new route. The new route and instructions for traversing the new route are provided based on a search.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic mapping. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to creating routes onelectronic maps.

2. Background Information

Electronic maps have been available via the internet and pre-programmedor programmable global positioning satellite (GPS) devices for at least10 years. These electronic maps have long been used to provide traveldirections for travelers in vehicles. A common source for electronicmaps today is Google Maps™, though other sources exist. Additionally, acommon source for global positioning satellite devices capable ofproviding travel directions is Garmin™.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set ofinstructions for electronic route creation, according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary network for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary template for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B shows an exemplary route created from a template for electronicroute creation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary route created from a template for electronicroute creation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary route created from a template for electronicroute creation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary website for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure, through one or more ofits various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features orsub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of theadvantages as specifically noted below.

Methods described herein are illustrative examples, and as such are notintended to require or imply that any particular process of anyembodiment be performed in the order presented. Words such as“thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the orderof the processes, and these words are instead used to guide the readerthrough the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claimelements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an” or“the”, is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system, onwhich a method of electronic route creation can be implemented, andwhich is shown and is designated 100. The computer system 100 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 100 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 100 may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, for example, using a network 101,to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 100 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 100 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as astationary computer, a mobile computer, a personal computer (PC), alaptop computer, a tablet computer, a wireless smart phone, a set-topbox (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioningsatellite (GPS) device, a communications device, a control system, a webappliance, a web server, an application server, or any other machinecapable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise)that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The computer system100 can be incorporated as or in a particular device that in turn is inan integrated system that includes additional devices. In a particularembodiment, the computer system 100 can be implemented using electronicdevices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, whilea single computer system 100 is illustrated, the term “system” shallalso be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems thatindividually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructionsto perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the computer system 100 includes a processor110. A processor for a computer system 100 is tangible andnon-transitory. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to beinterpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as acharacteristic of a state that will last for a period of time. The term“non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such ascharacteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other formsthat exist only transitorily in any place at any time. A processor is anarticle of manufacture and/or a machine component. A processor for acomputer system 100 is configured to execute software instructions inorder to perform functions as described in the various embodimentsherein. A processor for a computer system 100 may be a general purposeprocessor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC). A processor for a computer system 100 may also be amicroprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, amicrocontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or aprogrammable logic device. A processor for a computer system 100 mayalso be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA)such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type ofcircuit that includes discrete gate and/or transistor logic. A processorfor a computer system 100 may be a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Additionally, any processordescribed herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors,or both. Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a singledevice or multiple devices.

Moreover, the computer system 100 includes a main memory 120 and astatic memory 130 that can communicate with each other via a bus 108.Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums that can storedata and executable instructions, and are non-transitory during the timeinstructions are stored therein. As used herein, the term“non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristicof a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for aperiod of time. The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleetingcharacteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave orsignal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at anytime. A memory described herein is an article of manufacture and/ormachine component. Memories described herein are computer-readablemediums from which data and executable instructions can be read by acomputer. Memories as described herein may be random access memory(RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmableread only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, tape, compactdisk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppydisk, blu-ray disk, or any other faun of storage medium known in theart. Memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and/or encrypted,unsecure and/or unencrypted.

As shown, the computer system 100 may further include a video displayunit 150, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic lightemitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or acathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system 100 mayinclude an input device 160, such as a keyboard/virtual keyboard ortouch-sensitive input screen or speech input with speech recognition,and a cursor control device 170, such as a mouse or touch-sensitiveinput screen or pad. The computer system 100 can also include a diskdrive unit 180, a signal generation device 190, such as a speaker orremote control, and a network interface device 140.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the disk drive unit180 may include a computer-readable medium 182 in which one or more setsof instructions 184, e.g. software, can be embedded. Sets ofinstructions 184 can be read from the computer-readable medium 182.Further, the instructions 184, when executed by a processor, can be usedto perform one or more of the methods and processes as described herein.In a particular embodiment, the instructions 184 may reside completely,or at least partially, within the main memory 120, the static memory130, and/or within the processor 110 during execution by the computersystem 100.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logicarrays and other hardware components, can be constructed to implementone or more of the methods described herein. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules.Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses software, firmware, andhardware implementations. Nothing in the present application should beinterpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with softwareand not hardware such as a tangible non-transitory processor and/ormemory.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented using a hardware computersystem that executes software programs. Further, in an exemplary,non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributedprocessing, component/object distributed processing, and parallelprocessing. Virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein, and a processor described herein may be used to support avirtual processing environment.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 182 thatincludes instructions 184 or receives and executes instructions 184responsive to a propagated signal; so that a device connected to anetwork 101 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 101.Further, the instructions 184 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 101 via the network interface device 140.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In FIG. 2, the processstarts at S210 by providing a website and/or a desktop application forcreating routes. Such a website or desktop application provideselectronic maps for areas in which routes can be provided. Theelectronic maps may include a variety of levels of detail, ranging fromelectronic maps that only include public streets and street names, tomore detailed maps that include individual buildings, parking lots, andsidewalks. Electronic maps may include details indicating pavement forroads and sidewalks, as well as unpaved roads and trails.

At S220, the first stage of electronic route creation includes creatingunique routes from scratch. A unique route may be an initial new travelroute traveled by a user, such as a bicyclist. The creator interactswith an electronic map to trace a route which the creator can confirm astraversable. The route may include paved roads, sidewalks, dedicatedtrails including unpaved trails, parking lots, alleyways, and otherforms of surfaces on which another individual can travel, such as bybicycle.

At S230, a second stage of electronic route creation includes userscreating new routes from portions of previous routes. The previousroutes include unique routes created at S220, and these previous routesmay be accompanied by information of the creator(s) of the previousroutes, as well as creation dates, difficulty level, details such asconvenience to a starting point or finishing point or how accessible theprevious route is or how “rough” (in terms of terrain) the previousroute is, and so on. The second stage at S230 includes users interactingwith the previous routes to select individual portions differentprevious routes to create a new route. The second stage at S230 may alsoinclude the users adding details, such as to join two or more portionsof two different previous routes when creating the new route.

Different users may have different authorizations in the process in FIG.2. For example, one group of users and entities may be authorized tocreate unique routes at S220 and new routes at S230, and another groupof users or entities may be authorized only to create the new routes atS230.

Route data used to create a new route at S220 can come from a variety ofsources, including one or more types of users under a group (e.g.,business or premium) account. In the example where routes are createdfor bicyclists, one class of accounts may be provided for businesses.Businesses can include bicycle retailers, event promotors, the entitythat provides electronic route creation, local proprietors, bicyclebrands, etc. One class of account may be provided for governmentaland/or quasi-governmental entities such as municipalities, bike-shareprograms, and tourist boards. Users creating routes under either ofthese types of accounts may be assumed to be relatively “expert”, inpossession of knowledge and familiarity with local bicycling options.Businesses may also know that their brands will reflect the routes theyshare, and will work hard to make sure these are the best routesavailable. As a result, when either of these classes of accounts is usedto create a route for users in the system to ride or use in theelectronic route builder to build new routes, the route created underthe business or governmental account can be designated with a label suchas a “Classic Route”. The different authorization levels means that suchlabelled routes are only created by users under such authorized accountsand are designated as such by such users.

New routes created at S220 and S230 may be created by users under theaccounts noted above as well as under other types of accounts such asthose used by individual users of the electronic route creation. Theseaccounts may be labeled, e.g., “Regular Rider Accounts”. This dataexists to designate an everyday customized ride, and may not carry anyimplications as to the source of such a new route being a particularlygood source.

When searching for created routes or new routes, users can filter theresults determined by a processor searching through a database. Forexample, users can filter ride results before using electronic routecreation, and thus reflecting what the individual users find important.A website user interface may include a search box and/or check/uncheckoptions for users to use to find different routes. The website userinterface can then provide a list of routes and a map that shows routesselected by the user. The routes may be correlated with numerous typesof data, such as:

-   -   search origin (city, state, zip code)    -   length/distance (in miles or kilometers)    -   expertise level    -   surface type (paved, unpaved)    -   ride type (commute)    -   distance (0-100+ miles/kilometers)    -   search radius from current position (0-100+ miles/kilometers)    -   likes/favorites (how many previous users have “liked” the route)    -   author    -   name of route    -   difficulty of route (e.g., easy, medium, hard)

At S240, a mobile application is provided to a mobile device. A mobiledevice may obtain a mobile application from an online store such as theGoogle Playstore™ or the Apple™ Store. The mobile device can then beused by a user to obtain one or more of the new routes created at S230,so that a user can travel the new route using a map on which the routeis superimposed, and/or individual directions provided by the mobileapplication. Directions can be provided visually as written instructionor using indicators such as arrows, and can also be provided verballysuch as turn by turn instructions using a voice and language selected bythe user.

The user can use the mobile application to search for routes. The usermay provide geographic input to the application to perform the search.The geographic input may be a zip code, city or town name, street name,business name, or other forms of geographic input that can be used tonarrow a search on an electronic map to a particular area. The searchmay result in the mobile application providing one or multipleidentified potential routes to the user performing the search at S250,so that the user can select an identified route and begin traveling theroute once at an appropriate location to start traveling the route.

In an example, search results may include multiple route labels for newroutes returned from a search. Each route may include designations suchas distance, creator, whether the user has previous viewed or evencompleted the route, and so on. The user can select multiple routes, andthen hit a “build from selected” soft button on the website userinterface, so that the routes are shown on a map, and made individuallyselectable by portion as described herein.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The process in FIG. 3starts at S310 when a request for an interactive electronic mapapplication is received. At S315, the electronic map application isforwarded, such as by a link sent to an email address, or directly to arequesting device on which the electronic map application will beinstalled.

At S320, a new route is created based on user input to the electronicmap application. For example, a user may drag a finger across a touchscreen of the device or an attached monitor. Alternatively, the user maydrag an electronic wand across a screen that correlates positions of thewand to positions on the screen. As another alternative, the user maymanipulate a cursor on a screen using, for example, a mouse or othercursor control device. The route is superimposed on an electronic mapusing the positions indicated by the finger, wand, cursor or other inputmechanism.

At S325, geographic markers are set for the new route. The geographicmarkers may be specific place indications, such as markers of particularintersections, businesses, natural or man-made landmarks, visible signs,and so on. Geographic markers may also be preset coordinates such aselectronic GPS markers forming a path. The markers are noted along theroute as places a user can use to confirm their travel.

At S330 the new route is stored, and at S335 the process waits for thenext request for an application before restarting the process at S310.The new route may be stored in a centralized database that stores newroutes from multiple users authorized to create routes, and may becorrelated in the database with geographic indications that will helpusers searching for routes to obtain the new route.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary network for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, a varietyof user devices include a desktop computer 402, a smart phone 404, and asmart phone 406. These user devices are representative of user devicesthat can be used by users to communicate via networks that include theinternet 429.

The smart phones 404 and 406 communicate via cell tower(s) 414 in acellular network. Cell tower(s) 414 are representative of wirelesstowers on which antennas are placed. The antennas carry receive andtransmit data in a data network, and can be connected to broadbandlandline networks as well as to other antennas on other wireless towers.In the example of FIG. 4, smart phones 404 and 406 are representative ofmobile devices that can be carried by a user using an electronic routecreation application installed on the mobile devices. The users cantravel along a route created using the electronic route creation, or canuse the electronic route creation application to track their travel soas to create a new route using the electronic route creationapplication.

The desktop 402 communicates via a landline connection, but may alsocommunicate via a wireless fidelity (WiFi) or other local wirelessconnection. In the example of FIG. 4, desktop 402 is representative of adevice that can be used by a user visiting an electronic route creationwebsite or using an electronic route creation application installed onthe device. The users may be high level users (e.g., “expert” users) whouse the desktop 402 to design initial routes, or may be any user whouses the desktop 402 to create new routes from existing routes in themanner described herein.

Application server 422 provides a route creation application to desktop402 and smart phones 404 and 406. For example, the application server422 may provide a route creation application on-demand via the GooglePlaystore™ or the Apple™ Store. A route creation application may be usedby high level users to create initial new routes by high level users, orby any user to create new routes from existing routes. As describedherein, when a new route is initially created using a desktop 402 oranalogous device, the high level user obtains an electronic map andprovides input to identify the route. The input may be provided via atouch screen as a user physically traces the route, or by a cursor movedacross the screen via a mouse or other cursor control device, or byconfirming a series of individual cursor positions using, for example, abutton on the mouse or a keyboard. The initial new route is superimposedon the electronic map. The high level user creating the route may alsoadd information to the initial new route, such as notes, comments, andgeographic markers.

The high level user creating the new route may also edit or modify theinitial new route after it is created, such as by moving, erasing, oradding a portion of the route. For example, the high level user mayrevisit a new initial route sometime after the new initial route iscreated, and edit the new initial route to correct errors or improve orotherwise modify the route. Additionally, other users who review ortravel the new initial route may report problems to the high level routevia the electronic route creation application. For example, an internalmessaging system provided via the electronic route creation applicationmay allow one user to send information via email or other electronicmessage to the route creator (without obtaining the route creator'semail address). Alternatively, users may be allowed to post comments ona message board that accompanies a new initial route. The route creatoror administrator can then address comments, such as by correcting errorsin new initial route or by responding to emails or other electronicmessage or comments to provide explanations.

In FIG. 4, a web server 424 is used to provide a webpage for electronicroute creation. An interactive map database 432 stores electronic routesthat are created. The interactive map database 432 may store maps,electronic routes superimposed on the maps, geographic informationassociated with locations and areas on the electronic maps, and anyinformation entered by the creator. Information associated with aparticular electronic route can include geographic indicators,characteristics of the route creator, characteristics of the electronicroute, and other forms of information derived from the electronic map(s)on which the route exists or from input by the route creator, anadministrator, or other users.

A user visiting the webpage may search for electronic routes using avariety of criteria correlated with electronic routes in the database432. For example, a user may search for electronic routes by geographicindicators such as zip code, street names, town or city names, statenames, county names, and neighborhood names. A user may also search forelectronic routes by characteristics of the route creator, such as byname, expertise level, popularity, ratings provided by other users, andso on. The user may also search for electronic routes by characteristicsof the electronic routes, such as by specifying that route must all bepaved or unpaved, or that the route be restricted to paths that do notallow motor vehicles, or that a route must have a particular difficultylevel.

As described with respect to FIG. 4, an electronic route creationprovider may provide a website and/or downloadable software applicationsvia the web server 424 and application server 422. Users can then createnew initial routes, if authorized by the provider. The new initialroutes are stored in an interactive map database 432, along withinformation that is correlated with the new initial routes such asgeographic information, route creator information, or other types ofroute information. Other users can create new routes from existingroutes, by selecting sections of routes that either intersect or areclose together, in order to create a new route from confirmed routescreated by others. Sections, as the term is used herein, are portions ofroutes, for example, defined by two endpoints such as points selected onan electronic map, intersections or landmarks. Users can then travel onboth new initial routes and the new routes created from existing routesand follow instructions provided by the electronic route creationapplication.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5,geographic/geolocation information is received along with a request tocreate a new route at S510. The geographic/geolocation information maybe an area indicator, such as a zip code or town name, and is used atS515 to identify a subset of stored routes proximate to the geographicinformation provided. For example, a user who wants to create a routearound zip code 60655 may enter 60655 in a search window, and existingstored routes that are correlated with zip code 60655 or nearby zipcodes may be retrieved from interactive map database 432 and provided tothe user.

The identified routes are sent along with an underlying interactiveelectronic geographic map at S520. The requesting user can then selectportions of any of the provided stored routes in order to generate a newroute using the interactive electronic geographic map at S525. Forexample, routes may be divided at intersections between different routesprovided to the requester, so that the user can select a portion that isalready predefined between two different intersections. Alternatively, auser may be allowed to designate a starting point and ending point for asection, such as when the section does not intersect another existingroute of interest to the user. The user may then designate a new routeto connect the designated section with another section of interest tothe user.

In another embodiment, when the user has identified a route or series ofroutes to use as inspiration for a new route, they can select multipleroutes to use as templates/guides. In a new window, the routes can beplaced into the background of the map where they cannot be physicallyselected or modified by the user, but can serve as guides for the userto use when drawing the entirety of a new map. Some or all of such a newmap may be drawn over portions of the routes shown in the background ofthe map. In this embodiment, the user creates a completely new routebased at least partly on features from the templates/guides in thebackground layer. When the new route is finished, the user saves, printsand/or exports over a communications network the finished new route. Thenew route is saved and/or exported in a digital format, and can be usedas the basis of navigation instructions.

At S530, geographic markers and travel instructions are created for thenew route. The geographic markers may be from information that isprovided with an interactive electronic map, or may be provided by theuser who is creating the new route. The geographic markers can includelandmarks and crossroads, special notes such as that a route crosses aparking lot, and so on. The geographic markers can also includeinformation for cafes or other points of reference or interest. Thetravel instructions can include instructions on where the new routestarts and ends, and how to get to the starting point. The travelinstructions can also include instructions for traveling the route, suchas turn by turn instructions, distances from one turn to the next,special notes, and characteristics of the route such that it is entirelyon pavement or not at all on pavement. At S535, the new route and travelinstructions for traveling the new route are sent upon request.

In FIG. 5, a significant feature is that multiple existing routes can beused to create a new route. Additionally, in creating either the uniqueroutes in FIG. 3 or the new routes in FIG. 5, a “bicycle friendly”option may be used in an interactive map to identify potential saferoutes. In the context of FIG. 5, such an option may help a useridentify potential paths between portions of different existing routeswhen creating the new route. As an example, a feature on an electronicroute creation webpage may be “show bike paths” to identify existingtraversable bike paths on the electronic map. Additionally, the optionmay be used to help find a usable path from a starting point or endingpoint that is not on one of the multiple existing routes.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. At S610, a new routeand travel instructions are retrieved via an application on a mobiledevice. For example, a user may have an electronic route creationapplication installed on a smart phone, and use the application tosearch for and obtain a particular route in Reston, Va. Once anappropriate route is identified, the route is downloaded along withtravel instructions for traveling to the start of the route, and thenfor traveling on the route.

At S615, geographic markers along the route are reviewed, and the userbegins to travel the route using the instructions provided at S610. AtS620, the user checks in at each of a series of geographic markers,either automatically or by confirming presence via the electronic routecreation application. The user may be automatically checked in when themobile device is within range of a WiFi access point at each location ofa geographic marker. That is, local beacons (such as WiFi access points)may be preset to identify when mobile devices with the route creationapplication are present, and to check the mobile devices in to thegeographic markers for which the local beacon is provided.

At S625, the new route is completed by the user. The electronic routecreation system can also confirm whether a user receiving the routeinstructions has actually completed the route. At S630, a comparison ismade between the actual check-ins and the geographic markers along theroute. The comparison may be made by comparing each check in by themobile device against a list of check-ins correlated with the route asroute information. At S635, the actual travel route is compared versusthe planned travel route to confirm that the user has traveled theactual travel route. For example, a GPS service that tracks the user'smobile device may provide GPS locations for the mobile device that canbe compared to geographic information of the travel route.

At S640, a score is calculated based on completion of the actual travelroute and the actual check-ins as determined in the comparisons at S630and S635. For example, if a mobile device has checked in to 8 of anexpected 10 locations along a travel route, the score might be 80%.Similarly, the comparison at S635 may determine how many times the userwas more than 100 meters away from any route location in different1-minute intervals, and compare the determined number with a presetthreshold. For example, if the mobile device was more than 100 metersoff of a route in more than 40 different 1-minute intervals, theelectronic route application may determine that the user has notsuccessfully traveled the route. Alternatively, if the mobile device wasmore than 100 meters off of a route on 5 or fewer different 1-minuteintervals, the electronic route application may determine that the userhas successfully mastered the route.

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary template for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In FIG. 7A, Route Aincludes two sections, A1 and A2. Route B includes three sections, B1,B2 and B3. Route C includes two sections, C1 and C2.

In FIG. 7A, section A2 of Route A bisects Route Be at sections B2 andB3. Section C3 bisects Route B at sections B1 and B2. A bicycle rider isindicated on FIG. 7A along with a smart phone 704. The bicycle rider canuse an electronic route creation application on the smart phone totravel a route once the sections of the route to be traveled areidentified.

FIG. 7B shows an exemplary route created from a template for electronicroute creation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. InFIG. 7B, the final route to be traveled is shown as including sectionsC1, B2 and A2 from the various sections shown in FIG. 7A. The sectionsC1, B2 and A2 are selected from different routes and used in order tocreate a new route for the user using smart phone 704.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary route created from a template for electronicroute creation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. InFIG. 8, a route similar to the final route shown in FIG. 7B includes 11check-in points, labelled X1 through X11. Each of check-in points X1through X11 may be correlated with specific geographic information suchas latitude and longitude of the check-in point, a street address forthe check-in point, or a business name for a business at the check-inpoint. Each of check-in points X1 through X11 may also be correlatedwith a particular electronic beacon that can be used to check smartphone 804 in via an electronic route creation application on the smartphone 804.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary route created from a template for electronicroute creation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. InFIG. 9, a user has traced an electronic route on a preset grid, and thenidentified 11 check-in points X1 through X11. The user may create theroute and the check-in points for an entity as part of a contest, sothat users who wish to travel the route shown in FIG. 9 may compete tosee who can complete the route within guidelines set by the entity. Forexample, the contest may require that users complete the route in acertain time period such as two hours, or by checking into at least 9 ofthe 11 check-in points X1 through X11, or by straying off of thedesignated path by 100 meters or more for no more than 40 minutes duringtravel or by no more than a set percentage of travel time. Of course, acontest may impose other rules on users who wish to travel the routeshown in FIG. 9, and such rules may be set by the entity that createsthe route shown. The technology disclosed herein integrates locationinformation and the interactive functionality so as to automaticallycompare the route with the actual travel and check-ins by the user whotravels the route.

In FIG. 9, a rider may complete a route and upload GPS data from amobile device carried along the route to a website or a downloadedapplication. The website conveys the GPS data to a processor that thencompares the GPS data to a predetermined set of GPS data, in order todetermine whether the rider has successfully completed the route. Forexample, if the GPS comparison shows the rider has completed at least90% of the route accurately, the website may congratulate the rider andnotify the rider of eligibility to claim a reward. Rewards may beprovided, for example, by a business or community that sponsors theparticular route.

In FIG. 9, navigation instructions can be sent to any mobile deviceconfigured to receive such instructions in any form over acommunications network. Such a mobile device can include a smart phonerunning an electronic route creation application. Such a mobile devicecan also include a GPS-device or other navigation-centric mobile devicethat uses an imported GPS Exchange Format (GPX) file to display anavigation path. Data conforming to other formats, such as KeyholeMarkup Language (KML), can also be used by mobile devices with anelectronic route creation application. Additional alternative geographicdata formats that can be used for mapping navigation paths includeTraining Center XML (TCX) and Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer(FIT), as well as any other appropriate format that can be used withinthe scope of the teachings in the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary website for electronic route creation,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In FIG. 10, ageographic search term window 1010 is provided for a user to search forexisting routes geographically. The search results in the three existingroutes A, B and C being returned and shown on interactive electronic map1030. As described herein, the user can select sections of routes A, Band C in order to create a new route, or may input a new section tocombine with one or more sections of routes A, B and C in order tocreate a new route. In FIG. 10, five search result windows 1021, 1022,1023, 1024 and 1025 are shown. Each search result may show a differentresult for a search entered into the geographic search term window 1010.Accordingly, a user may select one or more particular search results inone of the windows 1021 to 1025, and the selected result may be used topopulate the map 1030 with the route choices shown in FIG. 10. Ofcourse, a different selection may result in a different map area anddifferent set of existing routes being populated on the map 1030 in FIG.10.

Accordingly, electronic route creation as described herein enablescreation of customized routes using confirmed route information fromprevious travel experiences. New customized routes can be created bypiecing together sections of existing customized routes. Additionally,customized routes can be provided as a service, such as for acompetition where multiple individuals compete by traveling a customizedroute created using the features described herein.

Although customized route creation has been described with reference toseveral exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that havebeen used are words of description and illustration, rather than wordsof limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of customized route creation in its aspects. Althoughcustomized route creation has been described with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, customized route creationis not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rathercustomized route creation extends to all functionally equivalentstructures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of theappended claims.

For example, the disclosure herein describes customized route creationmainly in the context of routes for bicyclists to travel. However,customized route creation may be applicable to users who travel on foot,or horseback, or via other mechanisms of travel. Additionally, thedisclosure herein describes customized route creation as being desktopand smartphone applications. However, customized route creation may beprovided via a webpage that a user can visit, even if the user isrequired to log in or even pay to use the customized route creationprovided via the webpage. Additionally, customized route creation may beprovided via a standalone software program, provided as a service(software as a service) or as a packaged item with an electronic storage(e.g., disk) purchased from an online or retail outlet.

Additionally, electronic route creation provides an ability for users tocreate new routes from multiple previous routes, as well as to identifyfeatures that are “bicycle friendly” to fill in gaps between sections ofthe multiple previous routes. In this way, uses can search for and useparticular characteristics when building individual sections of a routeto traverse. Such characteristics include characteristics describedherein, but are not limited to the exemplary characteristics describedherein. Rather, any identifiable characteristics that might be importantto a user creating an electronic route as described herein may be shownin an application or website for a user to select.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include anycomputer-readable medium or other equivalents and successor media, inwhich data or instructions may be stored.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of the disclosuredescribed herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural andlogical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from thescope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merelyrepresentational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportionswithin the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions maybe minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of creatingan electronic travel route includes providing a user interface thatincludes electronic geographic maps. Routes created by users using theuser interface are stored. The routes include mapped electronic routesin the electronic geographic maps along which the users have traveled.The method includes receiving geographic information and a request froma requester to create a new route and, based on the geographicinformation and the request, providing to the requester a subset of theroutes stored. Selections of portions of the subset of the routes storedare accepted from the requester to create the new route. A set ofgeographic markers and instructions for traversing the new route arecreated using a processor of a computer and based on the new route. Thenew route and instructions for traversing the new route are providedbased on a search.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the userinterface is provided over a communications network to users visiting awebsite.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes providing, based on the search, the new route andinstructions via a wireless network to a mobile device.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodincludes providing an application for the mobile device to search fornew routes and instructions.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodincludes providing, for installation on a computer, an application forthe requester to use to create the new route.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes ordering search results that include routes based onthe search, and providing the ordered search results to the requester.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the searchresults are ordered based on geographic proximity to a locationspecified in the search.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the searchresults are ordered based on popularity of creators of the routes.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the searchresults are ordered based on popularity of the route based on previoususes of the route.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the searchresults are ordered based on a status of the route creator.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the searchresults are ordered based on information of the route creator.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method isimplemented using a centralized server in a network.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the newroute is a route accessible to bicycles.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the new routeincludes portions inaccessible to motorized vehicles.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodincludes sending the new route to communications addresses specified bya user performing the search.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodincludes providing to a user an interactive map that allows therequester to create a route.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the interactivemap allows the requester to create a route by manipulating a cursorthrough the interactive map to create the route.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, theinteractive map allows the requester to create a route by manipulating afinger along a screen displaying the interactive map to create theroute.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a tangiblenon-transitory computer readable storage medium stores a computerprogram. The computer program, when executed by a processor, causing acomputer apparatus to perform a process. The process includes providinga user interface that includes electronic geographic maps. Routescreated by users using the user interface are stored. The routes includemapped electronic routes in the electronic geographic maps along whichthe users have traveled. The method includes receiving geographicinformation and a request from a requester to create a new route and,based on the geographic information and the request, providing to therequester a subset of the routes stored. Selections of portions of thesubset of the routes stored are accepted from the requester to createthe new route. A set of geographic markers and instructions fortraversing the new route are created using a processor of a computer andbased on the new route. The new route and instructions for traversingthe new route are provided based on a search. The process also includesconfirming whether a user receiving the instructions has completed theroute based on comparing predetermined route information with geographicinformation collected on a device along the new route.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a computer apparatusincludes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor thatexecutes the instructions. When executed by the processor, theinstructions cause the processor to perform operations that includeproviding a user interface that includes electronic geographic maps.Routes created by users using the user interface are stored. The routesinclude mapped electronic routes in the electronic geographic maps alongwhich the users have traveled. The method includes receiving geographicinformation and a request from a requester to create a new route and,based on the geographic information and the request, providing to therequester a subset of the routes stored. Selections of portions of thesubset of the routes stored are accepted from the requester to createthe new route. A set of geographic markers and instructions fortraversing the new route are created using a processor of a computer andbased on the new route. The new route and instructions for traversingthe new route are provided based on a search.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may begrouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentdisclosure. As such, the above disclosed subject matter is to beconsidered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and otherembodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of thepresent disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shallnot be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of creating an electronic travel route,comprising: providing a user interface comprising electronic geographicmaps; storing a plurality of routes created by users using the userinterface comprising electronic geographic maps, the routes comprisingmapped electronic routes in the electronic geographic maps along whichthe users have traveled; receiving geographic information and a requestfrom a requester to create a new route and, based on the geographicinformation and the request, providing to the requester a subset of theplurality of routes stored, and accepting, from the requester,selections of portions of the subset of the plurality of the routesstored to create the new route, creating, using a processor of acomputer and based on the new route, a set of geographic markers andinstructions for traversing the new route, and providing, based on asearch, the new route and instructions for traversing the new route. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is provided over acommunications network to users visiting a website.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: providing, based on the search, the newroute and instructions via a wireless network to a mobile device.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: providing an application for themobile device to search for new routes and instructions.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: providing, for installation on acomputer, an application for the requester to use to create the newroute.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: ordering searchresults comprising routes based on the search, and providing the orderedsearch results to the requester.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thesearch results are ordered based on geographic proximity to a locationspecified in the search.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the searchresults are ordered based on popularity of creators of the routes. 9.The method of claim 6, wherein the search results are ordered based onpopularity of the route based on previous uses of the route.
 10. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the search results are ordered based on astatus of the route creator.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein thesearch results are ordered based on information of the route creator.12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented using acentralized server in a network.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thenew route is a route accessible to bicycles.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the new route includes portions inaccessible to motorizedvehicles.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending the newroute to communications addresses specified by a user performing thesearch.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing to auser an interactive map that allows the requester to create a route. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the interactive map allows the requesterto create a route by manipulating a cursor through the interactive mapto create the route.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the interactivemap allows the requester to create a route by manipulating a fingeralong a screen displaying the interactive map to create the route.
 19. Atangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores acomputer program, the computer program, when executed by a processor,causing a computer apparatus to perform a process comprising: providinga user interface comprising electronic geographic maps; storing aplurality of routes created by users using the user interface comprisingelectronic geographic maps, the routes comprising mapped electronicroutes in the electronic geographic maps along which the users havetraveled; receiving geographic information and a request from arequester to create a new route and, based on the geographic informationand the request, providing to the requester a subset of the plurality ofroutes stored; accepting, from the requester, selections of portions ofthe subset of the plurality of the routes stored to create the newroute; creating, using a processor of a computer and based on the newroute, a set of geographic markers and instructions for traversing thenew route; providing, based on a search, the new route and instructionsfor traversing the new route, and confirming whether a user receivingthe instructions has completed the route based on comparingpredetermined route information with geographic information collected ona device along the new route.
 20. A computer apparatus, comprising: amemory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes theinstructions, wherein, when executed by the processor, the instructionscause the processor to perform operations comprising: providing a userinterface comprising electronic geographic maps; storing a plurality ofroutes created by users using the user interface comprising electronicgeographic maps, the routes comprising mapped electronic routes in theelectronic geographic maps along which the users have traveled;receiving geographic information and a request from a requester tocreate a new route and, based on the geographic information and therequest, providing to the requester a subset of the plurality of routesstored; and accepting, from the requester, selections of portions of thesubset of the plurality of the routes stored to create the new route;creating, using a processor of a computer and based on the new route, aset of geographic markers and instructions for traversing the new route,and providing, based on a search, the new route and instructions fortraversing the new route.